Wither the Wings

Detroit's playoff collapse may have domino effect

During a stoppage in the third period of Game 3 of the Devils-Bruins first-round playoff series, Boston defenseman Don Sweeney skated a tight circle near center ice, stared at the rafters of the FleetCenter and shook his head. Running into an impenetrable playoff goaltender tends to elicit such reactions. New Jersey's Martin Brodeur had just snagged Sweeney's blast from the point for another confidence-sapping save, and the Devils were well on their way to taking a 3-0 lead in the series at that point.

Across the country, the Red Wings looked similarly dispirited as they were being swept by Jean-Sebastien Giguere and the Mighty Ducks. The evidence? Slumped shoulders. Sticks butted against the glass in frustration. And Mathieu Dandenault's first-period brain lock in Game 4 on Wednesday -- as he stopped skating on a delayed penalty call, Adam Oates swiped the puck and started a 2-on-1 rush -- which led to Paul Kariya's game-tying goal. All were sure signs that the Wings were psychologically defeated even before Steve Rucchin's overtime goal ended their season.

But if the Wings think Giguere played with their heads during the series, wait until they see what his performance -- and their early postseason exit -- does to their offseason. Detroit, which had the NHL's second-highest payroll and glitziest collection of talent this season, is at a crossroads. Several key players will be unrestricted free agents this summer. Concerns about age and finances may force general manager Ken Holland to overhaul the roster before training camp begins. There's a good chance that such lineup fixtures as Sergei Fedorov, Igor Larionov and Darren McCarty will play elsewhere next season.

No one expects owner Mike Ilitch to pull a Wayne Huizenga and dismantle his high-priced team, but the Wings, like the rest of the NHL, must operate under the specter of labor strife when the collective bargaining agreement expires after the 2003-04 season. Even spendthrift teams will think twice about handing out lucrative long-term contracts this summer.

Detroit also has to deal with the hit its books will take as a result of its truncated postseason. The playoffs are a key component of the Wings' circle of life: Home games pump cash into the team's coffers, allowing it to keep the payroll high -- which (in theory) ensures an extended playoff run every year.

This week, a local economist told the Detroit News that the Wings' April flameout will cost the team $60 million in revenue. That's somewhat of a mythical figure because it assumes Detroit would have played as many home playoff games (13) as it did last year. But before the season, team vice president Jim Devellano did concede that, even as the payroll approached $70 million, "If we're a successful playoff team, we can handle it."

The Red Wings were not a successful playoff team, and veteran luxuries such as Luc Robitaille (who spent the season in a scoring slump) and the 42-year-old Larionov are likely to be the first casualties. Neither one figures to be re-signed. Fedorov, soon to be an unrestricted free agent, may leave too. The star center, who made $2 million this season, has already rejected a five-year, $50 million offer from Detroit earlier this season. He seems intent on testing the market this summer, and no one would be shocked if he were playing in another big market (New York, Los Angeles) next season.

McCarty, a rugged forward and another unrestricted free agent, is in line for a significant raise from the $1.9 million he made this year. In many ways he's the soul of the team -- a fan favorite and one of the few physical players on a roster full of flashy offensive talents. But if several teams create a bidding war for McCarty's services the Wings may let him go, too. Ditto for defenseman Jason Woolley.

Then there's the captain, Steve Yzerman. If he doesn't retire and returns for one more Stanley Cup run the Wings will be obligated to pay him at least $8 million. Yzerman's decision will impact many of the other moves Holland must make this summer. Thanks to Giguere, Detroit's offseason will be longer than usual. The goaltender may see a very different team when he faces the Wings next fall.

Sports Illustrated staff writer Stephen Cannella covers the NHL for the magazine and will contribute frequently to SI.com throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs.

 

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